Over the years, I have watched, I have
observed, I have read and I have concluded certain things are not right
in this beloved land of my birth.
By Christine SK LaiWhen the call for Bersih 3.0 was made, I already knew I would be going. I had gone for Bersih 2.0 as a “mere novice, a reluctant demonstrator”. Now, I am no longer a novice, but still reluctant, as I really didn’t relish the thought of most probably having to endure smarting tear-gas and run for my life again.
But some things just can’t be avoided when it comes to staying true
to one’s own conscience. My conscience demands that I make a stand
(literally) for what is right, fair and just. And if that means having
to “waste time” being roasted under the sun for umpteen hours, sitting
on a hot tarred-road and (again) running the risk of being pelted with
tear-gas or worse getting arrested, so be it.
I am merely one of those millions whom one politician termed the
“silent majority”, quietly minding my own life as a Christian Malaysian
Chinese. As one of the silent majority, over the years, I have watched, I
have observed, I have read and I have concluded certain things are not
right in this beloved land of my birth.
And I am concerned about that, because I care for my country, I care
that my children and their children will inherit a land where justice
isn’t just a political slogan to bandy about, but is really manifested
in good governance held accountable through policies, action plans and
follow-up implementation.
I am sure there are many reasons why people went for Bersih 3.0. Some
just want to make use of it as an opportunity to get some political
mileage for their fave party and in the process disparage others. Some
went out of curiosity, some tag along with friends, some simply because
they missed Bersih 2.0. But I went because of a personal conviction that
besides praying for my country, I must also do what I know for myself
is the right thing to do. It’s as simple as that. If other Christians
don’t have the same conviction, it’s their right.
I have no stomach for political “shows”, whether they are put on by
government or opposition quarters. So I don’t need to descend to
chanting names or join in bad-mouthing others I may disagree with.
Because it’s not about politics, it’s about justice. Surely we don’t
need politicians or pastors to tell us what is right is right, what is
wrong is wrong, what is clean and what is dirty.
By now there are thousands of shots of Bersih 3.0 available for
viewing, from photos to videos. By now also everyone would have
something to say, whether you are one of those actual on-the-scene
witnesses or merely watched from the distance of your TV sets. By now
the dust and the tear-gas have long settled, but the ramifications of
what someone called the moment of destiny for Malaysia have just begun.
No doubt there are many versions, explanation and interpretation of
the violence that happened. I can only say, where I was, in the thick of
the crowd at HSBC/Bar Council sit-down, we knew what the instructions
were – sit down and on no account, provoke the authorities. That’s what
I, and every right-thinking participant, did. We were prepared to stick
it out till 4pm, as the message that the rally had been called off as
early as 2.45pm didn’t filter down. If it had, we would all have more
than gladly got up and gone home! (not that we could have anyway, since
as expected, the LRT had shut its doors).
Malaysian spirit
It really isn’t much “fun” being BBQ-ed under the heat of the sun. My friend was on her phone commenting how boring it was, when I saw the tear gas coming at us without any warning.
It really isn’t much “fun” being BBQ-ed under the heat of the sun. My friend was on her phone commenting how boring it was, when I saw the tear gas coming at us without any warning.
Obviously it was no longer boring, as people started running. Four of
us followed others who fled down a side-path towards the back of
Central Market, only to be confronted with hordes of police running
towards us from Dayabumi side. We couldn’t run back because of the gas.
The only way out was to climb up and over the railings, but there was no
foot-hold and the wall was too high.
But, thank God, there were Malaysians with the Malaysian spirit… the
sole man at the bottom pushed while the men at the top simply pulled us
up, one by one, till we all cleared the wall.
There are many Bersih 3.0 stories, because many, many of us had
experienced a piece of history in the making in our own individual
corner. I think no one has the correct figure of how many thousands upon
thousands of Malaysians from all races, ages, backgrounds and religions
were out there, “roasting” since the morning of April 28.
I had occasionally to stop at a restaurant which dared to remain open
(and therefore must have increased its earnings for the day manifold!)
to wait for my friends who needed a toilet break. And it was at that
moment, as I stood by the side of the road, watching row after row of
people walking forward, that I was never more proud to be a Chinese in
Malaysia. I say this not because of any racist sentiment, but because
for the first time, I am seeing so many Chinese come out, to do
something so “un-Chinese” as to “waste time” sweating under the sun,
sitting on hot tar, with a bunch of noisy strangers, when they could be
somewhere else comfortably doing their own things.
What’s even more heartening, I saw and I know there were many more
Christians on the roads, silently praying and marching together with and
as fellow Malaysians. And all of us stood up every time someone started
singing Negara-Ku.
Whatever the reason for participating and in spite of the violence,
(which no right-thinking person would condone anyway), no one can deny
the numbers alone speak a very clear message… .some of the silent
majority have a voice, and a face… so I am very hopeful, for I need only
look at the images captured on Bersih 3.0 and I see – the face of
change in Malaysia.
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